District Attorney Focuses on Elder Abuse Cases

MACON, Georgia (41 NBC/WMGT) –  Elderly abuse cases are now a top priority for the Macon Judicial Circuit and District Attorney David Cooke appointed a new man, Will Johnson, to take on those cases.

District Attorney David Cooke “wanted someone who had a strong work ethic and a heart for ministry, I see this as a type of ministry.”

Assistant District Attorney Will Johnson will now focus on elderly abuse cases within the Macon judicial circuit.

When most people hear elderly abuse, they think of physical neglect, but actually financial abuse cases are far more common.

At 27 years old, Johnson will defend the people that can’t defend themselves. He relates because his grandmother had a hand in raising him

He believes “everyone has a voice and that voice should be heard, there should be no one who is harmed and not heard.”

Just in this year alone, Cooke tells me that he’s received 4-5 calls every month about elderly abuse.

41 NBC obtained a statement here from the area agency on aging and they say that they’ve received 59 calls this year on possible neglect and abuse for elderly adults.

Cooke says, “as our population ages which it is, I saw the trends I know there is going to be more, and these folks that are victims of elderly abuse, they’re more dependents upon their care givers.”

According to the Middle Georgia Regional Commission designated as the area agency on aging, in state fiscal year 2012, the Middle Georgia AAA received 70 inquiries from the public requesting information on potential abuse, neglect or exploitation.

“We need someone that can stand up for them and fight for them and make sure that our elderly are protected,” Cook says.

He hopes Johnson will be the man to do it.